Hello, reader!

I am so happy that you decided to take a peek at my first fanfiction! This will be several chapters long, as I plan on writing it parallel to the anime. In other words, this story takes place at the same time of each episode, sometimes in-between. This means that some parts will be my own novelization of the anime; however, things will be changed around to accommodate the inclusion of my characters. This way, it is a complete fanfiction and not a novelization.

Extended Summary:
Nakahara Ayaka: new arrival to the 13th Division. After joining the 13th Division and working out in the field, she finds she has a special gift that many of her ranking rarely ever receive. Nakahara Ayame: transfer student in Karakua Town. She grew up with only her grandparents for family. All that is left of the rest of her family is a special piece of jewelry. Both have a connection that neither knew about until an event brings them together.

This fanfiction is rated M because it may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. That does not mean, however, that every chapter contains any of that content.

Bleach © Tite Kubo
Nakahara Ayaka, Nakahara Ayame © Nonezumi

When the wind blew through the spring trees and the cicada chirped without care under the warm sun, she found herself looking up at the blue sky. The light blue that emanated calmness had white fluffy clouds that floated casually down to the horizon and beyond. Her dark brown hair with maroon highlights, clipped up and behind her head to not disturb her vision, shined in the light of the day. She held a small group of strands of her hair and tied the tail off with a bright blue band. This small part of her hair was left untouched to grow longer when she had the rest of it cut short. The tail dropped naturally to the left side of her face after she let go off it. The young lady looked back up at the trees to admire how they branches and leaves swayed.

"Today will be perfect!" Her voice was soft but full of positive energy. If anything should happen to contradict what she exclaimed to herself, she would be depressed and retreat into a silent stupor. All of those years in Shinō Academy had better not been for nothing; she slaved over her work to do the best she could. The wind picked up, and her attention was drawn to a falling leaf.

Sandals scratched against the ground behind her. A tall shadow cast over her body and stretched two feet in front of her. "Don't fall asleep, Nakahara Ayaka," said a man's voice from above.

The young woman turned to the right in her sitting position to get a better view of the other student. She did not need to see his face to know who he was, because she recognized his voice and the shadow. His short, side-swept spiked hair and purple irises were the first things she looked at after turning. Ayaka smiled and greeted him, "Koji-kun, so nice to see you!" She stood up to face him better.

"Have you thought of what division you want to apply for yet?" Koji turned around, silently inviting Ayaka to accompany him to the graduation ceremony.

She caught on to his gesture and started walking. "Not yet. I'm thinking of starting with the 13th." The 13th Division of the Gotei 13 seemed to be one of the most welcoming divisions. Ayaka had heard about how much of a family-like atmosphere there was in it. Surely, with her high averages and dedication, she would be guaranteed acceptance.

"Really?" Koji paused when he adjusted his oval glasses. "I'm leaning toward the 12th myself. Whatever division you decide on, Ayaka-chan, I am sure you'll get in!"

"You, too!" She nodded in approval. Whatever Koji wanted to achieve, she knew he would accomplish it. Ayaka was not very different.

The rest of the time heading to the ceremony was spent reminiscing about their time before the academy. Ayaka was only four years old when Koji found her on the streets of District 60 of Rukongai. At the time, he appeared to be seven. When he found her, he could only wonder how she ended up there crying in a dirty jinbei. Koji had helped her to walk back to his place of residence after calming her down with treats. Once at home, his mother - all three of them had died in a house fire - quickly got to work and acted as a mother to Ayaka since day one of her arrival. Koji and his father left to let the older woman take care of the child. While they were gone, Ayaka was bathed and given a clean outfit. Her hair at the time was short and unruly like a pixie's. Not liking this, Koji's mother tied a bow in her hair to distract others from the wild hair. Ayaka and Koji became as close as a brother and sister could. They went hunting for bugs together, helped their parents around the house, told each other stories, and sometimes shared a bed when one felt lonely.

Ayaka was the first to spot the other students. The small group of friends she had made during classes was made up of a short girl with round glasses, a pencil-thin boy who could easily pass off as a thirty-something man, and a young man with green fox eyes. They were one of the odder groups of friends that bonded in the academy. Koji told Ayaka to have fun before leaving her for his own group of friends. She waved him off with a big smile, and then turned to greet her friends. In several minutes, they would be graduates and start applying to divisions. Ayaka, looking like a bright and energetic teenaged woman, chattered away happily until the ceremony started and the crowd of students hushed.

Thank you, Gaia798 for suggesting an author's note for my chapters!
I apologise for the one above being rather long.

In the next chapter, Nakahara Ayame will be introduced.
The third chapter will be the start of the real story.